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Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a country located in Central America, bordering Panama to the South and Nicaragua to the North. Its capital and largest city is San Jose.

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All Content on this topic

Nicaragua Rio San Juan

Costa Rica sues Nicaragua over land dispute

Costa Rica has filed a complaint to the International Court of Justice over a military incursion by Nicaragua in 2016.
ConflictsJanuary 17, 2017
Costa Rica UNO Auszeichnung zum Schutz der Artenvielfalt

Our Beautiful Planet

Do you see climate change affecting our beautiful planet close to where you live? If so, share your images with us.
Nature and EnvironmentDecember 9, 2016
Hurrikan Otto

Hurricane Otto hits Costa Rica, moves to Pacific

Traveling at 26 kilometers per hour, the storm has claimed several lives in the Central American country.
CatastropheNovember 26, 2016
Costa Rica Rettern evakuieren Menschen vor Ankunft von "Otto"

Otto puts Nicaragua, Costa Rica on alert

Costa Rica and Nicaragua prepare for the worst after Hurricane Otto is upgraded from a tropical storm.
Nature and EnvironmentNovember 24, 2016
Panama Hurricane Otto Folgen

Hurricane Otto kills 3, gathers strength

The late-season storm has killed at least three people in Panama as it turns toward Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
Nature and EnvironmentNovember 23, 2016
Argentinien San Juan - Argentiniens Lionel Messi spricht zur Presse

Argentina boycott media, Klinsmann's future in doubt

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has led a boycott of the media, announced following Argentina's 3-0 win over Colombia
SportsNovember 16, 2016
Symbolbild Faultier

Slow down for International Sloth Day

October 20 is International Sloth Day in honor of the slowest moving mammal on earth.
Nature and EnvironmentOctober 20, 20167 images
Australische Gespenstfledermaus Macroderma gigas

Living Planet: Vampires suck blood, or do they?

The Northern Ghost Bat is not as spooky as it sounds. It is one of more than 100 species of bat that can be found in Costa Rica. However, unlike in the tales of its blood-sucking cousins, this cute critter doesn't have quite the same appetite.
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 18, 201607:00 min
Refugees argue with border police in Central America.

Eight migrants found dead in Lake Nicaragua

It is believed that the migrants wanted to make their way north, through Nicaragua and on to the United States.
August 3, 2016
Costa Rica

A viewer video from Costa Rica

Edwin Ibarra sends an electronic postcard from his vacation on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast.
June 13, 2016
Lemur leaf frog (Photo: imago/imagebroker)

One girl's bid to save the frogs

A 10-year-old girl is hopping mad about the state of the world’s frogs - and is doing her bit to save them.
April 19, 201606:57 min
Costa Rica Flüchtlinge aus Kuba

Cuban migrants force way into Costa Rica

Costa Rica has stopped over 1,000 Cubans from entering the country as renewed US-Cuba ties spark a wave of migration.
April 14, 2016
Leaf-cutter ants carry leaves

Multi-talented ants

Costa Rica's tiny leaf-cutter ant is incredibly strong and could help change the world for the better.
April 5, 2016
Biokorridore in Costa Rica Global 3000

Connecting Costa Rica's wildlife

A network of new wildlife corridors is set to help animals move around Costa Rica.
April 5, 2016
Cubans in Costa Rica (photo: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Arguedas)

Cubans looking for better lives

Cuban migrants were stopped on their way to the US when Nicaragua, a close ally of President Castro, closed its borders.
February 10, 201608:05 min
Global Ideas #doingyourbit Kunst Biodiversität Manuel Gonzalez Costa Rica

Painting for awareness

A Costa Rican artist uses his brush to highlight his country's natural bounty.
February 10, 2016
25.11.2015 DW Global3000 Bio Costa Rica

Going fossil-fuel free

A small country in Central America has long been ahead of the pack when is comes to green power. Famed for its dramatic landscapes and ecotourism, Costa Rica now generates close to 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. So just how has the tiny tropical nation managed to achieved this?
February 4, 201605:29 min
Costa Rica Migranten aus Kuba auf dem Weg zur Grenze Guatemala-Mexiko

Flight-bus plan for stranded Cubans

Central American states and Mexico agree a way to help Cubans stranded by a Nicaraguan border ban.
January 21, 2016
Cubans wait outside a Western Union office to cash money from relatives in the United States.

Deal reached to allow Cuban migrants out of Costa Rica

Thousands of Cubans stranded in Costa Rica may soon be allowed to continue their journey to the US.
December 29, 2015
Cuban migrants in Costa Rica

Costa Rica deports Cubans amid 'transit crisis'

Costa Rican authorities have begun deportation proceedings for 56 Cubans in transit, waiting to travel to the US.
December 27, 2015
Artikelbild Costa Rica

Cash for biodiversity

Costa Rica is a frontrunner when it comes to nature conservation but finding the cash to keep the status isn't easy.
December 1, 2015
25.11.2015 DW Global3000 Bio Costa Rica

Cash for biodiversity

Costa Rica is a frontrunner when it comes to nature conservation but finding the cash to keep the status isn't easy.
December 1, 2015

Cuban exodus sparks tensions

Nicaragua sends Cubans back to Costa Rica after US-bound migrants storm border. Cubans fear US reversal of asylum rules.
November 16, 2015
Turrialba, Costa Rica

Turrialba volcano spits new ash

Turrialba has spewed a fresh column of smoke and ash that reached Costa Rica's capital, San Jose, 60 kilometers away.
May 5, 2015
Neymar lying on the ground in pain after being fouled. Copyright: dpa

Bites, broken bones and bloodshed at the World Cup

DW sports reporter Jonathan Harding joins us in the Pulse studio to talk about the 2014 World Cup.
SportsJuly 8, 201409:34 min
WM 2014 Viertelfinale Niederlande Costa Rica Elfmeterschiessen

Netherlands win on penalties

The Netherlands will face Argentina in the semifinals of the 2014 World Cup after beating Costa Rica 4-3 on penalties. The game had finished 0-0 after 120 minutes.
July 6, 2014
WM 2014 Achtelfinale Griechenland Costa Rica

Costa Rica win on penalties

For the second time in as many days, World Cup fans witnessed a match that went to penalties. Costa Rica bravely played a man down for nearly an hour, and their tenacity on dead legs was rewarded in the shootout.
June 30, 2014
WM 2014 Achtelfinale Griechenland Costa Rica

The unexpected comeback - World Cup Day 17 in pictures

World Cup Day 17 in pictures
June 29, 201414 images
Fußball WM 2014 Griechenland Elfenbeinküste Tor

Uruguay glory, Italy sent packing - World Cup Day 13 in pictures

Uruguay glory, Costa Rica finish top of the group, Italy and England sent packing - all the best moments from World Cup Day 13 in pictures.
June 24, 201411 images
Fußball WM 2014 Italien Uruguay

Uruguay knock out Italy

Uruguay progress after a controversial win against Italy.
June 24, 2014
WM 2014 Gruppe D 2. Spieltag Italien Costa Rica

World Cup day 9 in pictures

All eyes were on Italy as favorites versus Costa Rica, yet it was "los Ticos" who booked their spot in the knockout phases with a 1-0 win. This eliminates England, leaving Italy and Uruguay to fight for Group D survival.
June 20, 2014
Ruiz scores

Costa Rica win, France dominate

Costa Rica pull off their second sensation, beating Italy 1-0, as France thrash Switzerland 5-2.
June 20, 2014
Italy beatrs England

World Cup: Day 9 preview

The drama of the World Cup continues and Day 9 could see another country's challenge come to an end. Meanwhile France and Switzerland are battling for top spot in Group E.
June 20, 2014
Colombia versus Greece

Colombia, Costa Rica win

The fleet-footed Cafeteros and battling underdogs Costa Rica get big wins.
June 14, 2014
Araya Costa Rica

Runoff looms in Costa Rica vote

Costa Rica's conservative ruling party candidate Johnny Araya has taken the lead in the country's presidential vote, initial results say. But with no candidate meeting the 40 percent threshold, a runoff looks likely.
February 3, 2014
Presidential candidate Salvador Sanchez Ceren of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) addresses supporters during the closing of the presidential campaign in Soyapango, El Salvador on January 29, 2014, prior to the presidential election. Inti Ocon/AFP/Getty Images

Central American elections

Voters in the two Central American countries of El Salvador and Costa Rica have gone to the polls to choose a new president. Both votes are likely to end in runoffs.
February 2, 2014
Teaser Globalideas – Costa Rica, Visionswald _ ohne Logo

Planting trees

A father and son team are restoring a part of Costa Rica's rainforest and providing a new habitat.
December 23, 2013
Teaser Globalideas – Costa Rica, Visionswald _ ohne Logo

Investing in timber

Timber investments are booming despite high risks for investors and questionable green benefits.
December 22, 2013
A ship on the seas (Photo: Marion Hütter)

Conserving coastlines

Costa Rica is trying to balance coastal conservation with the needs of its people and its economy.
October 22, 2013
Spider monkey inside its cage at the Simon Bolivar Zoo, which celebrates its 97th anniversary on July 28, 2013 (Photo: HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)

Controversy in Costa Rica

Closing zoos and releasing animals into the wild, as some are proposing, presents major issues.
September 9, 2013
Photo: DW / Roxana Isabel Duerr

Water recycling champs

Could the water of the future come from cleaned-up sewage? It's already happening in Singapore.
Nature and EnvironmentJune 25, 2013
++ DW / Joanna Gottschalk ++

Cross-border climate row

A river on the border between Costa Rica and Panama is hampering climate cooperation.
June 25, 2013
A Chinese clerk counts US dollar bills at a bank in Huaibei city, east Chinas Anhui province, 11 July 2011. China reported a jump in its foreign-exchange reserves and an increase in bank lending, reflecting continued inflationary pressures in the worlds No.2 economy. Chinas foreign exchange reserves rose by $152.8 billion in the second quarter, to $3.1975 trillion. The increase was smaller than the first quarters $197.3 billion jump.

Mass laundering scheme exposed

US prosecutors have filed an indictment against the operators of the digital currency exchange Liberty Reserve, for laundering billions to criminals, calling it perhaps the biggest money laundering scheme in US history.
May 29, 2013
GettyImages 83752799 An Israeli airforce F-16I fighter plane takes off at the Ramon Air Force Base, in the southern Israeli Negev desert, on November 19, 2008. The Israeli Air Force demonstrated today its aerial arsenal to the foreign press, including the F-16I, which military officials said was capable of reaching Iranian airspace without refueling. AFP PHOTO/MARINA PASSOS (Photo credit should read MARINA PASSOS/AFP/Getty Images)

Israel confirms Syria strike

Israeli officials have confirmed that the country's airforce launched a strike into Syria, targeting suspected weapons. It comes as the US president Barack Obama almost completely ruled out deploying US troops to Syria.
May 4, 2013
Baby two-toed Choloepus sloth, Aviarios Sloth Sanctuary. Baby Faultier Mateo / Baby Mateo in sloth nursery.

Rescuing sloths

A sloth sanctuary in Costa Rica nurtures wounded and abandoned baby animals back to health.
April 17, 2013

Chilli peppers, tamales and family

Victoria from Costa Rica: "Dear friends, I would like to share a little bit about Costa Rica's most important Christmas customs."
December 7, 2012
Map of Costa Rica

Tsunami threat lifted

A tsunami warning issued after a strong earthquake off the west coast of Costa Rica has been cancelled. A Carribean-wide tsunami watch had been in effect.
September 5, 2012

Pineapple farmers go Fair Trade in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is the world's biggest pineapple exporter. It supplies more than half of global demand every year. Massive companies that only produce pineapples have made big money. Small Costa Rican farmers too have found a niche for their promise of good working conditions and organic farming practices. But these farmers who work under the Fair Trade label don't have it easy.
BusinessFebruary 1, 201203:32 min
Costa Rica, Visionswald – Landschaft / Wald

Costa Rica's green paradise

Home to five percent of the world's known species, Costa Rica's dwindling forests need protection.
May 10, 2011
A cloud forest in Costa Rica

Parrots in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has an impressive conservation record, but its wildlife is still under threat.
May 10, 2011